DISCUSSION: 2018 Indy 500 Round Table
It’s now been five days since the Indianapolis 500. As reality has set in, flags have been taken down, and hangovers cured, I decided to sit down with the boys, and get some thoughts on this years “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. It was a round table set of questions to two of our writers/contributors. So I guess not really a “round table”, more of a triangle. Or tripod? Anyway, here’s how our talk went.
Me: So, what’s your initial thoughts on the 500?
Kevin: Not the dramatic finish of 2016, or the history making win of 2017, but it was a damn sight better than the morning’s Monaco Grand Prix.
Josh: Getting a grip on the UAK18 was interesting to watch… Plenty of white knuckle moments, an awesome reminder of Justin Wilson when his brother led a few laps at the end of the race, and a great finish as the Aussies, Will Power and Daniel Ricciardo, completed the sweep of Monaco and the Indianapolis 500.
Me: Aside from Will Powers jump to the points lead, who do you think benefited the most from their finishing position?
Kevin: Newgarden. Okay, so he’s 3rd now in the points but big whoop, he has an IndyCar title, he wants that Indy 500 win and Sunday’s P8 finish will help his confidence for future attempts. His recent 500 performance almost mirrors Will Power’s. So given the finish this year, I predict next year Newgarden’s got a top-3 finish, before kissing the bricks in 2020.
Josh: Alexander Rossi. He was able to leapfrog Josef Newgarden in the overall championship.
Me: Do you think we’ll ever see Danica or Helio in an IndyCar again?
Kevin: As long as Castroneves has a shot at #4, we’ll see him again. Patrick… meh, I could care less now.
Josh: Helio always says he’ll be back, but I doubt it. While I hope Danica has a change of heart, she’s young enough to continue in IndyCar
Me: Danica really retired for good?
Josh: She seems determined to leave all that behind. But I won’t shut the door on her making a U-turn.
Kevin: I was adamant that she’d be an IndyCar champion had she stayed but she betrayed me and my confidence in her. So again, meh.
Me: Any thoughts on seeing Stef Wilson and Oriol Servia leading with 9 laps to go?
Josh: Wilson leading laps truly brought the memory of Justin to the forefront. A great tribute to his brother. I have no thoughts on Servia leading at the end.
Kevin: Wilson had everything to lose, 2016 showed us that you could finish on fumes, so why not take the chance? Especially since this was the make up race for Fernando Alonso taking his spot in 2017. Servia had nothing to lose starting so far back, but being that it was Scuderia Corsa’s first, I could understand some trepidation in not finishing. They’re the closest thing we have to Ferrari being back in the 500 and to be honest, Ferrari has sucked at the 500 so maybe finishing was their goal. If they come back or if Ferrari make a genuine attempt again than this’ll be a learning experience.
Me: Of the one-offs and “new” teams, do you think any of them made strides to a full time or part-time effort?
Kevin: Shank Racing with SPM has the ability to stay around. Michael Shank’s goal was to make an IndyCar entry and he did it with Sam Schmidt’s help, if he can get a long-term sponsor and possibly upgrade from Jack Harvey, he could make Shank Racing a very strong, fully fledged, independent team à la RLL Racing.
Josh: I’ve been impressed with Kyle Kaiser and Juncos. Mechanical issues shortened their day, but I think if Kaiser is given a full season in ’19, he’ll surprise a lot of people.
Me: How did you feel about Will Power winning?
Kevin: Chuffed to bits. He deserved it, after 11 tries he finally had IMS calling his number
Josh: Will Power winning the 102nd running of the Indy 500 is a testament to his talent, his laser focus, and all his hard work. Having read his biography, and knowing a bit more about the man, it’s a wonder he hadn’t won earlier.
Me: Did the “lack of passing” concern you for super-speedways?
Josh: As long as there are battles to be seen throughout a race, even if passing doesn’t happen, I’m good.
Kevin: No.
Me: What were your thoughts on Rossi and Rahal’s charge to the front?
Josh: Rossi and Rahal are like honey badgers. They won’t allow freak accident qualifying results to keep them out of the top 10. They could both write a book on “The Art of the Restart”.
Kevin: I was watching with on-board cams so I didn’t see their races.
Me: And finally, Who wins Detroit? What are you looking for the rest of the season?
Kevin: Penske. Maybe RLL will repeat who knows? The short ovals and street circuits that suit Newgarden are coming up, so I expect Newgarden to put in a strong second-half performance to #DefendThe1.
Josh: Rahal for one race, and a Penske for the other — let’s say, Josef Newgarden.
There you have it. Our first, post race discussion.Some strong opinons and some not so much. Josh and Kevin, both, weren’t bothered by the lacking of action. Kevin seems to think Scuderia Corsa might have been doing some “research” for Ferrari, maybe. Both our guys look for Newgarden to be strong the rest of the season. What say you? Join the debate here or on Twitter.
